Virginia’s Historic House & Garden Tour

In my continuing quest to visit gardens in all 50 states in the US, I traveled to Virginia for the Historic Home and Garden tour also known as “America’s Largest Open House.”  Each year some 30,000 enthusiastic visitors turn out to enjoy the beauty and superb organization of this tour....   Continue Reading

Philbrook Art Museum & Gardens, Tulsa, OK

If you should tire of your 72-room Italian villa surrounded by  23 acres of formal gardens, consider donating it to your city for an art museum.  This happened!  In Tulsa, OK, in 1938, oil man Waite Phillips & wife Genevieve decided to move from their Italian Renaissance villa to a home in California.  Tired of their Tulsa home they donated it to the city.  Accepting this “house” the city opened it as The Philbrook Art Museum surrounded by its beautiful gardens in 1939. Today it continues as a great point of pride for Tulsa....   Continue Reading

Peace Gardens

Writings

As I began my garden travels in August I fled the high temperatures of the Valley and I fled from the highly charged political debate engulfing our country.  I longed for peace in a garden as only nature could bring.   As our country and the world grapple with so many conflicts I try to remember conflict is part of life. Peace Gardens remind me citizens throughout the world see gardens as a path to peace....   Continue Reading